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DNA & Genetic Damage

Single strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells exposed to microwave radiation

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Paulraj R, Behari J. · 2006

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Chronic microwave exposure caused a statistically significant increase in DNA single strand breaks in rat brain cells.

Plain English Summary

Summary written for general audiences

Researchers exposed 35-day-old male Wistar rats to microwave radiation at 2.45 GHz and 16.5 GHz for 35 days to study effects on developing rat brain. After exposure, the researchers measured DNA single strand breaks in brain tissue using micro gel electrophoresis (comet assay), with fifty cells from each slide and two slides per animal observed. The study found a statistically significant increase (p < 0.001) in DNA single strand breaks in the brain cells of exposed rats.

Why This Matters

Six rats were used in each group, and the two microwave frequencies were tested separately in two different exposure systems. Single strand DNA breaks were measured as the tail length of a comet formed during the assay. Statistical analysis used a one-way ANOVA method.

Exposure Details

SAR
1.0 (with 2.45 GHz) and 2.01 (with 16.5 GHz) W/kg
Source/Device
2.45 and 16.5 GHz
Exposure Duration
35 days

Exposure Context

This study used 1.0 (with 2.45 GHz) and 2.01 (with 16.5 GHz) W/kg for SAR (device absorption):

Building Biology guidelines are practitioner-based limits from real-world assessments. BioInitiative Report recommendations are based on peer-reviewed science. Check Your Exposure to compare your own measurements.

Where This Falls on the Concern Scale

Study Exposure Level in ContextStudy Exposure Level in ContextThis study: 1.0 (with 2.45 GHz) and 2.01 (with 16.5 GHz) W/kgExtreme Concern - 0.1 W/kgFCC Limit - 1.6 W/kgEffects observed in the Extreme Concern range (Building Biology)FCC limit is 2 times higher than this level
A logarithmic frequency spectrum from 10 Hz to 100 GHz showing where this study's 16.50 GHz exposure sits relative to common EMF sources.Where This Frequency Sits on the EMF SpectrumELFVLFLF / MFHF / VHFUHFSHFmm10 Hz100 GHzThis study: 16.50 GHzPower lines50/60 HzCell phones~1 GHzWiFi2.4 GHzLogarithmic scale

Study Details

To investigate the effect of microwave exposure (2.45 and 16.5 GHz) on developing rat brain (35 days old).

Wistar rats (35 days old, male, six rats in each group) were selected for this study. These animals ...

This study shows that the chronic exposure to these radiations cause statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in DNA single strand breaks in brain cells of rat.

Cite This Study
Paulraj R, Behari J. (2006). Single strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells exposed to microwave radiation Mutat Res. 596:76-80, 2006.
Show BibTeX
@article{r_2006_single_strand_dna_breaks_27,
  author = {Paulraj R and Behari J.},
  title = {Single strand DNA breaks in rat brain cells exposed to microwave radiation},
  year = {2006},
  
  url = {http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0027510705005361},
}

Quick Questions About This Study

The study used microwave exposure at 2.45 GHz and 16.5 GHz.
Male Wistar rats that were 35 days old, with six rats in each group, were used.
DNA single strand breaks were measured as tail length of comet using micro gel electrophoresis (comet assay).
The chronic exposure caused a statistically significant (p < 0.001) increase in DNA single strand breaks in brain cells of rat.
The rats were exposed for 35 days at the above mentioned frequencies.